Oilstone sharpening apparatus



Feb. 13, '1934.- E. E. GALLAGHl-:R I 1,946,968

OILSTONE SHARPENING APPARATUS,

Filled May '6, 195:5 2 sheets-sheet 1 N all L5 W ff ima N w, L N

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@#1 uw l $1 i p1 ln?- lq Feb. 13, 1.934. YF. E. GALLAcaHER OILSTONE SHARPENING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet "2 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 PATENT OFFICE 1,946,968 oILs'roNE snARPENING APPARATUS Francis E. Gallagher, Troy, N. Y., assigner to Behr-Manning Corporation, Troy, N. Y., a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 6, 1933. Serial No. 669,784

14 Claims.

This invention relates to an oilstone sharpening apparatus. More particularly, it contemplatesa device comprising a 'plurality of oilstones, upon which tools and knives may be sharpened, means for supporting the stones, andl means for supplying the stones with oil.

It is well known that sharpening stones work best when the abrading surface is covered with an excess of oil ofproper physical characteristics to lubricate the abrading surface of the stone, to prevent the illlingor embedding of the abraded metal particles into the structure of the stone, and to oat the same metal partcles oi the surface of the stone. The conventional method of accomplishing this is to apply oil to the stone from an-oil can, but this method is accompanied by obvious disadvantages.

It is necessary or desirable when sharpening most tools to use a plurality of different oil- .0 stones of varying coarseness, ,and consequently it has been proposed 'in the past to assemble a plurality of grades of stones in a single apparatus, so that the successive 'grinding steps may be performed thereby.

The main purpose of the present invention is to combine in one apparatus, in the most convenient and effective manner, all of the require- Y ments for a most desirable oilstoning apparatus, and in such amanner that all the necessities to an eicient grinding operation are immediately available for use in handiestform.

It is the primary object of the invention to assemble a plurality of oilstones upon an appropriate supporting frame or core, so that they may be handled as a unit, and to provide, in combination therewith, an appropriate stand, or supporting base, upon which the unit may be supported in a plurality of dilferent working a positions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide efficient means for preventing accidental sliding or rotational movement of the oilstone assembly upon the base, and to provide simple 5 means permitting ready, bodily removal of the assembly from the base, so that its position may be changed and quickly replaced.

It is a further object ofthe invention to provide an eiicient means for supplying the stones with oil, and this'ineans preferably is in the form of an oil reservoir in the base, into the contents of which the stones may be immersed.-

Other objects and advantages of the invention Hwillbecome apparent as the specification proy c eeds, and these advantages now from certain desirable relations of parts and details of construction.

In the accompanying drawings, a specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus with o0 one-hall of the cover removed.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the oil removed for the sake of clearness.

Figure 3 is an end elevational View taken from o5 -the left of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the other Yend. of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a transverse, sectional view taken `on line 6--6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an elevational end view of a slightly modified form of the invention, and corresponds generally to Figure 4. 75

In the drawings, a supporting stand or base l0 for the oilstone assembly 1l is shown, and this base is provided with a central reservoir or well 12 for holding the oil required for the sharpening stones. 'Ihe base or housing 10 can be a casting, or metal stamping of any suitable form; a desirable form is shown in the drawings, in which the base portion is extended outwardly and upwardly to form a channel 13 for catchingy and holding any oil that might find its way out of the oil well. It is desirable to constrict the oil well toward the bottom. so as to minimize the quantity of oil required, since for some uses, such as butcher shops, the oil must be frequently changed. The top of the base casting should be made to receive a fairly tight cover 14 which protects the stones and. oil when not in use, and prevents the oil slopping out when the apparatus is being carried. In the particular design shown, the drip channel is curved upwardly at the ends of the base to form convenient handles 15. There is some advantage in having the base casting of considerable weight, so that the apparatus as a whole will not move around when in use. To further aid this result, an anti-slip sheet matev100 rial 16, such as rubber, cork, or cork bre, is cemented to the underside of the base.

Theoil stones 17, 17', etc. are fastened to a casting, frame or core 18, which is mounted on a shaft 19 terminating in handles 20. 21v at op- 105 posite ends. The stone assembly can be lifted upwardly from the oil and fromthe supporting base by the handles 20, 21, and rotated until the desired stone is uppermost in -a horizontal position. and then replaced. The stone assem- 110` bly is independentof, and free from, the base housing, so it can be easily and quickly picked up and rotated for changing the relation of the stones to the `oil reservoir and to normal working position. A specific means for accomplishing this result will now be described, and, although the drawings show a stone assembly of triangular shape to hold three stones of varying degrees of coarseness. it will be apparent that two or four or more stones could be held by a suitable design of the central core and of the oil well casting. Similarly, a single stone could be held and oiled if desired.

It will be understood that the oilstone assembly must be held securely upon the base to resist end play, side play, or slight rotational movement. IIhis result may be accomplished by a number of ways, but preferably, because of manufacturing convenience, an arrangement of parts generally similar to that now to be described is employed.

Adjacent opposite ends of the shaft 19 of the oilstone assembly are two collars 22, 23, provided with radially extending flanges 24. 25 respectively. For the three-stone model illustrated, the anges 24, 25 are triangular in shape, and the edges of one of them should be either V- shaped in cross-section, or rounded. Adjacent one end of the base 10, there is provided a horizontally disposed, transversely extending V- shaped channel 26, which is adapted to receive, alternately, one or another of the V-shaped, or rounded edges of the flange 24. The angular dis- 'position of the surface of the groove 26 will prevent longitudinal movement of the` flange 24 and the oilstone assembly 11 with respect to the-base. Furthermore. the supporting contact between the flange and the groove 26 on an elongated horizontal line contributes to the stability of the assembly against rotational movement. Obviously, the arrangement of the groove 26 and insertable edge may be reversed as by forming the groove on. the flange and the intertting portion on the base.

The triangular ange 25 disposed at the opposite end of the oilstone assembly isreceived upon angularly disposed surfaces 27, 28 formed upon the corresponding end of the base 10. These surfaces are preferably substantially fiat and are inclined toward a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The triangular flange is supported upon the surfaces, in wedging relation and consequently transverse and rotational movement of the assembly is prevented. The handles 20, 21 may conveniently be formed integrally with the collars 22, 23 and flanges 24,

It will be apparent that the respective functions performed by'the two flanges 24, 25 could' readily be performed by surfaces formed on the oilstone assembly and on the base at either or both ends thereof. That is, the edges of the triangular flange 25 could be rounded or V-shaped,

long as it serves to prevent transverse, longitudinal, and rotational movement, while still permitting free removal and replacement of the assembly.

The oilstones 15, 17', 172, can be fastened to the core or frame 18 ina number of ways. That illustrated constitutes an economical, convenient, and suitable form. Spring clips 29 are drawn against the ends of each separate stone by screws 30, which tap into the central core 18. This device permits each stone to be held, replaced or turned over independently of the others. The design of the clip 29 accommodates considerable variation in the length of the stones 17, there are no loose parts to be mislaid and only a screw driver is required by the user. 'I'he elongated edge 29' of the clip 29, which contacts the end face of each stone, prevents chipping or breaking thereof from the holding pressure. For example, set screws bearing directly on the 'stone may chip the stone or else wear holes therein, so that the stone can work loose under use. v

The frame or core, upon which the stones are mounted, comprises the triangularly shaped heads 18 and a plurality of connecting bars 18', 182 extending therebetween. 'Ihe core may be secured upon the shaft 19 by appropriate set screws 31 or the like.l

In Figure '7, a modified form of oilstone assembly in diagrammatically illustrated. In this case, either four or two stones may be used. Instead of providing triangular supporting flanges 24, 25, as in the case previously described, a four-sided ange 32 is utilized. 'Ihe member 32 may be positioned in the angular space between the surfaces 33, 34 with either of the four corners pointing downwardly. Thus, either of the four sides of the core may be positioned upwardly, with the stone secured thereon in working position. At the opposite end of the modified form, a similar four-sided supporting base or flange is provided, but the sides thereof are adapted to be supported upon a horizontally disposed, transversely extending, V-shaped groove, as described with reference to the first form.

Having thus described the details of construction of a desirable form of the invention, a typical method of use of the three-stone model will now be described.

Depending on the use to which the device is to be put, a wide choice of stones from very coarse, fast cutting stones to very fine bonded or natural stones can be used. Even fine stones known as hones can be employed for the finest of the three stones. A typical selection of aluminous oxide or silicon carbide vitreous bonded stones suitable for knife sharpening purposes would be 120, 220 and 320 grit for the coarse, medium and fine stones. With the stone assembly in place, suitable oil is poured into the oil well nearly up to the bottom of the shaft 19. (It is sometimes desirable to ll or saturate the stones with oil before assembly, so that the oil in the apparatus will stay on the surface of the stoine when rotated to the working position). Two of the stones will 'then be immersed in the oil bath. One of the coarser stones would ordinarily be rotated to the top or Working position for the rst and fastest cutting on the tool or knife to be sharpened, followed by one of the finer or finishing stones. All three stones will often be used in succession from the coarsest to the finest in order. This, of course, depends on the condition of the tool.

To bring a stone to the upper or Working posi-` tion the stone assembly is lifted, by means of handles 20, clear of the oil, and the supporting ilanges 24, 25 are rotated until the desired stone is in the top horizontal position; and then the assembly is lowered until the anges are again in contact with the supporting surfaces on the'base. Due

to the self-aligning features of the flanges and the absence of close fitting parts-this operation can be carried out with the greatest ease and dispatch. It will be noted that no fastening or locking screws are employed to hold the stone assembly in position. The stone `so rotated into working position is adequately supplied with oil and is ready for the tool sharpening operation. When the next ner stone is required, it is quickly rotated into position from its position in the oil bath by the same movements. Adequate clearance between all sides of the stone and the edges of the o'il well prevent the slopping of oil onto the bench or table, and any small' escape of oil over the edge of the oil well is caught 'by the drip channel 13.

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a plurality of oilstone assemblies for use, alternate" ly, with a single base. The stones mounted-upon one core may vary in coarseness, between certain limits, to effect efcient sharpening of a certainv class of tools while the stones mounted upon another core may vary between different limits, to effect an eiicient sharpening of another class of tools. Thus, a different core will be used with one base for sharpening different kinds of cutlery.

From a consideration of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided an apparatus which accomplishes the several objects of the invention and which exhibits manifest improvements over generally similar devices now known to the art.'

1. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir formed therein, a frame extending longitudinally of the base, shaft extensions at opposite ends of said frame, a plurality of oilstones carried by said framein fixed relation thereto, said frame being supported at its opposite ends on said base by said shaft extensions, said extensions and base having angular, interfitting surfaces adapted to prevent rotational and y longitudinal movement of the frame, but permitting free lifting movement thereof relative to the base, said shaft extensions being provided with handles disposed outwardly beyond the angular supporting surfaces.

2. A sharpening apparatus comprising a supporting base having an oil reservoir formed therein, a'frame adapted vto be supported upon said base and above said reservoir, and a plurality of oilstones carried by said frame, one of said stones normally being at least partially immersed in the oil of saidreservoir and another of said stones being supported in horizontal working position above said reservoir, said frame having shaft extensions at opposite ends, said shaft extensions and basehaving cooperating, angularly disposed surfaces preventing rotational movement of said frame with respect to said base, but permitting free lifting and replacement of said frame and the stones carried thereby, whereby the relation of said stones with respect to said reservoir and said working position may be readily changed by removal, rotation and replacement of said frame.

3. A sharpening apparatus comprising a. base having an oil reservoir formed therein and having open bearing surfaces at opposite ends thereof, a frame extending between the ends of said jextensions at its opposite ends, enlarged bearing flanges on said shaft-like extensions freely insertable into and removable from said base bearings, said flange surfaces and base bearing surfaces having an interiitting formation adapted to resist rotational, longitudinally and transverse movement of the frame while said flanges are disposed in said base bearings, but permitting free lifting movement of the frame from said base.

5. vA sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir formed therein and having angularly disposed supporting surfaces at opposite ends, a shaft disposed longitudinally of the base and havingsurfaces associated therewith adapted to engage said angularly disposed supporting surfaces, a plurality of oilstones carried by saidshaft between the said surfaces and disposed in predetermined relation to said reservoir, the supporting engagement of the surfaces associated with saidshaft and the surfaces at opposite ends of said base serving to prevent horizontal and rotational movement of said shaft and the stones carried thereby relative to said base, but permitting ready bodily removal and replacement of the same to change the position of the stones.

6. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an Voil reservoir formed therein and having angularly disposed supporting surfaces at opposite ends, a shaft disposed longitudinally of the base and having a collar adjacent each of its ends, said collars having surfaces formed thereon adapted to engage said angularly disposed supporting surfaces, a plurality of `oil stones carried by said shaft between said collars and disposed in predetermined relation to said reservoir, the supporting engagement of the surfaces on said collars and the surfaces at opposite ends of said base serving to prevent horizontal and rotational movement of said shaft and the stones carried thereby relative to said base, but permitting ready bodily removal and replacement of the same to change the position of the stones.l

'7. A sharpening apparatus comprising an elongated base having an oil reservoir formed therein and having supporting surfaces at opposite ends, the surfaces at one end lying in planes disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said base, and the surfaces at the other end lying in planes parallel to said axis, a frame extending longitudinally of the base, and a plurality of oilstones carried by said frame in fixed relation thereto, said frame having surfaces receivable upon said supporting surfaces at opposite ends of said base, the disposition of said supporting surfaces preventing accidental displacement of said frame thereon by rotational, longitudinal or transverse movement with respect to said axis, but permitting ready bodily removal of said frame and stones therefrom to effect a change in the relation of Asaid stones to said base.

8. A sharpening device comprising a base having an oil reservoir formed therein, a frame adapted to be supported upon said base, and a plurality of oilstones mounted upon said frame, said frame having surfaces at each end adapted to be supported by cooperating surfaces on said base, said surfaces being shaped to support said frame in as many diierent angular positions as there are stones mounted thereon, whereby each stone may be alternately supported in upwardly directed, working position, said surfaces being shaped to prevent rotational or horizontal movement of said frame, but to permit vertical bodily removal and replacement thereof to effect a change in the angular position of the stones.

9. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir therein, and a plurality of angularly disposed supporting surfaces, a frame adapted to be supported upon said base and having a plurality of oilstone receiving faces, and stones mounted upon said faces, said frame having surfaces shaped to cooperate with said surfaces on said base to support the frame in a plurality of different angular relations, to position alternately each of said faces upwardly, said surfaces, whenrin engagement preventing rotation of said frame, but permitting bodily removal of the same from the base, for rotation and replacement in a different angular position.

10. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir therein, and a plurality of angularly disposed supporting surfaces at opposite ends thereof, a frame adapted to be supported upon said base and having three oilstone receivingfaces, and an oilstone/mounted upon each of said faces, said frame having three supporting surfaces at opposite ends disposed in angular relation to each other and formed to cooperate with the angularly disposed surfaces on said base in three different relations to support the frame in three "alternative angular positions to dispose any one of said stone receiving faces upwardly, said surfaces preventing rotation of said frame when in engagement, but permitting bodily removal of the same from the base for rotation and replacement in a different angular position.

11. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir therein, and a plurality of angularly disposed supporting surfaces at opposite ends thereof, a frame adapted to be supported upon said base and having a plurality of oilstone receiving faces, and oilstones mounted upon said faces, said frame having supporting flanges at opposite ends, said flanges having their edges disposed in an angular relation similar to the angular relation of the supporting surfaces on said base, whereby said frame may be supported by said anges on said base in a different position to expose each stone, the angularity of the supporting surfaces preventing sliding or rotational movement of the frame, but permitting lifting thereof in a substantially vertical path to change the position of said frame and the stones mounted thereon.

12. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir therein and a plurality of angularly disposed supporting surfaces at opposite ends thereof, a frame adapted to be supported upon said base and having a plurality of oilstone receiving faces, and oilstones mounted upon said faces, said frame having handles and integral supporting anges at opposite ends, said anges having their edges disposed in an angular relation similar to the angular relation of the supporting surfaces on said base, whereby said frame may be supported by said anges on said base in a different position *o expose each stone, the similar angularity of said supporting surfaces and said flange edges preventing sliding or rotational movement of the frame, but permitting removal thereof in a substantially vertical path to change the position of said frame and the stones mounted thereon.

13. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having an oil reservoir therein, and a plurality of angularly disposed supporting surfaces, a frame adapted to be supported upon said surfaces and having a plurality of oilstone receiving faces, and stones mounted upon said faces, said frame having four-sided supporting anges at "opposite ends, one of said flanges having its adjacent sides disposedin an angular relation to each other equal to the angular relation of the supporting surfaces of said base, whereby said fianges may cooperate with said angularly disposed surfaces to support said frame in a plurality of different positions, the similar angularity of the surfaces on said base and said flanges preventing sliding and rotational movement of the frame, but permitting bodily removal thereof to change the position of said frame and the stones mounted thereon.

14. A sharpening apparatus comprising a base having walls forming an oil reservoir therein, and a removable oilstone assembly non-rotatably supported upon said base with one stone in upwardly disposed working position above said reservoir and another stone substantially immersed in said reservoir, said base having an exteriorly disposed channel formed around its perimeter outside of said walls and positioned to catch and retain oil dripping from said stones or slopping from said reservoir.

FRANCIS E. GALLAGHER.

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